Analysis of Leachate Production and other Organic Outcomes in Pickling Cucumbers in Plastic Bottles.

This study investigated the potential migration of plastic components or additives from plastic bottles during keeping cucumber as pickle for a long time. The compounds studied were bisphenol A (BPA), nonylphenol (4-NP), bis (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) and bis (2-ethylhexyl) adiapate (DEHA). In addition, the plastic bottles were tested with four different contents and three different days of storage. In all cases, samples were analyzed using gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC/MS) and High Pressure Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). Four target compounds appeared in all samples with variety concentrations. Indicating that migration from plastic bottles can occur at the experimental cases tested. Result showed the effect of increasing the day of storage and increasing the amount of compound release, and so the effect of changing the contents of plastic bottles in the variety of concentration of each compound at the same number day of storage. The highest concentration of compounds migrated was for 4-NP and the lowest for BPA. 4-nonylphenol was found in plastic bottle which contain tap water with range from 23 to 47 ng/L, in plastic bottle which contain the additives from 112 to 170 ng/L, in plastic bottle contain cucumber from 120 to 179 ng/L and in plastic bottle contain cucumber with pesticide residue from 320 to 420 ng/L. bisphenol A was found in plastic bottle which contain tap water with range from 17 to 27 ng/L, in plastic bottle which contain the additives from 101 to 145 ng/L, in plastic bottle contain cucumber from 113 to 152 ng/L and in plastic bottle contain cucumber with pesticide residue from 290 to 370 ng/L. Although the compounds migrate levels measured in these samples pose no risk for human health because of very little concentration, the presence of more source of exposure to our body to such compounds pose a health risk.